"Retirement has become a joke these days in world cricket, my decision is final" - Rohit Sharma on quitting T20Is
Team India's Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma has made it clear that he has no thoughts on taking a U-turn on his decision to quit the T20Is. Taking a cheeky dig at players who have made a comeback after announcing their retirement, Rohit asserted he retired from T20Is at the perfect time.
Rohit led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the West Indies and the United States earlier this year. He announced his retirement from T20Is after India triumphed over South Africa in the final in Barbados. Along with the captain, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retired from the format after the ICC event.
Speaking to JioCinema, Rohit dismissed any thoughts of making a comeback to the Indian T20I squad. He said (as quoted by NDTV):
"Retirement has become a joke these days in world cricket, people announce retirement but then return to play, it hasn't happened in India - however I have been observing players from other countries, they announce retirement but then make a U-turn so you never really know whether someone has actually retired - my decision is final & I am very clear - it was a perfect time to say goodbye from T20I."
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir came out of international retirement earlier this year and even represented the team in the T20 World Cup. Earlier, Ben Stokes quit ODIs in 2022 citing mental fatigue, but ended up representing England in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Rohit Sharma was India's leading run-getter in the 2024 T20 World Cup
Speaking of Rohit, he walked away from T20I cricket on a high. He was India's leading run-getter in the 2024 T20 World Cup and second-leading overall. In eight innings, he scored 257 runs at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 156.71.
The opening batter retired hurt on 52 off 37 in India's opening group match against Ireland in New York. The 37-year-old scored a scintillating 92 off 47 balls with the aid of seven fours and eight sixes, in the Super 8 match against Australia in St Lucia. He also contributed 57 off 39 in the semifinal against England in Guyana.
Rohit is the all-time leading run-getter in the T20I format. He ended his career with 4,231 runs in 159 matches at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 140.89, with five hundreds and 32 fifties.